Ronaldo's 'nice arrogance' suits Ferguson

Ronaldo's 'nice arrogance' suits Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson has no intention of telling Cristiano Ronaldo to curb his flamboyant style.

The Manchester United winger has been at the centre of more controversy this week, having harshly been booked for diving during the Carling Cup final before getting on the wrong end of a rough-house tackle from Steven Taylor at St James' Park on Wednesday.

That incident led Arsene Wenger to claim there is an arrogance about Ronaldo that rubs opponents up the wrong way.

Rather than bristle at Wenger's comments, Ferguson actually agrees with them.

However, that does not mean he wants Ronaldo to do anything about it.

"There have been many different great players over the years but they always had a touch of that nice arrogance," said Ferguson.

"They have the courage to always want the ball. It courses through them all, and there is nothing wrong with it.

"I don't see why I should tell him to stop. That is the way he plays, and I enjoy watching it. I paid £10million for that."

The fee Ferguson paid for Ronaldo when he signed him as a 17-year-old from Sporting Lisbon was actually £12.24million.

But his point is obvious enough. Through their trickery and skill, great players can often make others look stupid. It is not a new phenomenon.

"It can antagonise people," said Ferguson.

"George Best said he got the treatment. Johan Cruyff was another example when Holland played Brazil in the 1974 World Cup, Maradona had plenty in his day, I am sure, Pele as well. That is what great players do.

"They express themselves to a point that it becomes frustrating for defenders."

Those great players also shared a tendency to react every now and then. Best had a fierce temper; Cruyff served a one-year ban when he became the first Holland player to be sent off, while Maradona was dismissed during the 1982 World Cup Finals, red-carded after the red mist descended against Brazil.

It is little wonder therefore that Ronaldo has reacted with apparent petulance at various times this season.

"It is understandable if you keep getting kicked and nothing happens," said Ferguson.

"Sometimes you can lose your temper. But I think that the moments that Cristiano has shown little flashes have been nothing. They get made big things because of who he is."

Taylor escaped the additional punishment Ferguson had expected for the challenge on Ronaldo.

The United boss might be a bit bemused about the intricacies of the disciplinary system. But as title rivals Chelsea and top-four battlers Arsenal are among Newcastle's next three opponents, he is happy that Taylor is involved.

"The disciplinary situation does confuse you at times," said Ferguson.

"No one is really clear about it. But in actual fact we did not want the boy suspended - because now he can play against Chelsea and Arsenal.

"In Newcastle's position, with the injuries they have at the moment, it would have been devastating for them to lose that player. I am not really upset about it at all."